Before they'd gone upstairs to clean off after their sundae making, she'd seen him chug a couple of pills along with a bottle of water. She was worried he was getting one of his headaches, so in the shower she'd shampooed him, washed him and then shooed him out, telling him that she needed time to recuperate.
Now what do I do.
After the awful stories that he'd shared with her, she was worried for him. She tried not to be afraid that he'd lash out while he slept, but they'd flown for some time in the same kind of helicopter he'd been shot down in.
Did she join him in the bed and risk waking him? Or go downstairs and sleep on the couch, and risk offending him? He was trying so hard to make this work.
"Are you going to stand there and stare at me all night, or are you coming to bed?"
She squeaked and then laughed. He pulled the comforter down for her to slide in beside him. "I just had this dream about the sexiest woman I've ever seen, climbing into bed with me. Is that my T-shirt?"
"Yes."
"It looks way better on you."
She wasn't so sure about that.
He pulled her in close to him and she draped one leg over his thigh. "I'm nervous about falling asleep," he said. "But you've worn me out. I don't think I could move even if I wanted to."
She kissed his jaw. It was rough with stubble but she loved it.
"If I hear you make a noise, I promise to get out of bed as fast as I can. I'm nervous for you, too. I don't want you to feel bad if you can't go to sleep. It won't hurt my feelings if you need to go home. I mean it."
"I was serious. I don't want to move an inch right now," he said against her hair. "I love smelling you as I close my eyes." He yawned.
"Go to sleep." She snuggled into him. "We have a lot more rooms to christen tomorrow. You need your beauty rest."
"You're beautiful enough for the both of us," he whispered.
When he said things like that, her pulse raced and her heart beat triple time in her chest. It was all she could do not to climb back on top of him and make love to him for another couple of hours. But she resisted. The guy deserved a break after the phenomenal memories they'd created tonight.
His loving her was honestly one of the highlights of her life.
It wasn't long before his breathing evened out and his muscles relaxed. She allowed herself to close her eyes.
Yes, this is what she wanted. A man who believed in her and thought she was beautiful, one who was consumed with bringing her pleasure. A man who was everything she ever dreamed of for a partner and then some.
No, she wouldn't let fear steal whatever time she had left with him. At least not yet. She'd keep him for as long as he wanted to be here. Maybe that wouldn't be forever, but for now they were in a good place.
"Mari?" She smiled. She thought he'd gone to sleep.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Tonight was one of the best nights of my life. I just wanted you to know that. And there's no place I'd rather be right now. No place."
Her heart soared. "Me, too."
13
"I MIGHT THROW UP," Mari said as she straightened the silverware on the table for the fifth time in an hour. Everything was ready. She'd planned her Valentine's Day dinner party down to the last candied mint. And she'd invited a ton of people. From Brody's CO to potential clients, she even invited her parents from Austin and his dad.
She and Brody were making new memories. And she hoped maybe she could help him with his past disappointments. His dad had said he wasn't sure he could come, but he would try. He was working in Dallas, which was a pretty short flight.
Half of her hoped the man showed up, the other half hoped he didn't. She wasn't sure what she'd say to him. Though she was glad Brody hadn't minded her meddling.
He slipped his arms around her from behind and pulled her in close. "You're perfect. Everything looks great. The house is a showplace. They're all going to be impressed." He kissed her neck. Oh, how she lived for those touches.
For the past few days Brody had been extrasensitive while helping her. He'd seen her crazy side and survived. She'd bark orders, he'd give her the sexiest of smiles and do whatever she asked. Then at night he'd take her to bed and they'd make love. He told her that he craved her, that she was wreaking havoc on his sanity. That he couldn't stop thinking about her.
And she felt the same way about him. They weren't burning out, they were burning hotter.
Meanwhile, she could finally sell the money pit. Be out from under the horrific weight of debt she felt. Except she'd worked so hard on it she had mixed feelings. Seeing it going to someone else would break her heart. This was the house she'd created with Brody.
They'd had so much fun and there were so many wonderful memories. She hoped tonight would show him that they had what it took. She could let him see how happy her parents were and that some lucky relationships did last. She wanted that with Brody. Smiling, she knew she was ready to share her heart, and that Brody was a man worthy of it.
He squeezed her tight. "Everyone who is coming tonight loves you. Don't be nervous."
She turned and put her hands on his chest. "I can't wait for you to meet my mom and dad. They're disgustingly joyful together. I'm really curious about these surprise guests they're bringing."
"I wish I could say I was joyful about you meeting my dad. There's a good chance the guest he's bringing is someone he met last night in a bar or restaurant. Don't let it ruin your night. Just say the word and I'll ask him to go."
She kissed him. "It's okay. Not to worry. He spawned you, so he can't be all bad."
"In case I forget to say it later, you're exceptional. And this spread is exceptional, too." He pointed at the variety of food on the table. The rest was waiting in the fridge.
"Oh, I almost forgot the roast. I need to get it out of the oven." She pulled away and hustled into the kitchen. That's when it dawned on her. There was no smell of meat cooking.
No. No. No.
She yanked open the door and gasped. The raw meat sat in the roasting pan.
She slammed the door shut and turned the oven temperature up to 500 degrees. She'd cook it on high for a bit, and then lower it after about forty-five minutes. If she basted it with broth, it wouldn't dry out too much. They were doing a buffet since there were so many invited, and the roast was only one of many dishes. Still, it was Brody's favorite and she wanted it on the menu. This party was for both of them.
"What's wrong?" Brody asked. Lately, he'd always been there for her. Last minute touch-up painting or shopping, whatever she needed. No man had ever been such a willing partner with her, and she loved it. Loved every second of it.
"Been so distracted running around at the last minute that I forgot to turn on the oven. So dinner may be delayed a bit. Luckily, we have other things to eat. And my parents are always late, so there's that. They'll be the excuse to wait on dinner. It'll be fine," she said as she tried to convince herself.
"I can order something from one of the local restaurants if you're worried."
She laughed. "It's Valentine's Day. By the time it would be ready and get here, the roast will be done." She took a deep breath. "It's okay. Something always goes wrong." Of course, that meant her warming times for the rest of the food were also messed up.
"I may have to use the oven at your house to reheat the twice mashed potatoes."
"Whatever you need," he said.
"Thank you. For being here," she said as she made her way around the marble-topped island. "It's going to be okay, right?"
"Yes." He brushed a curl from her cheek and kissed her. "Do you think we have time for a quick run upstairs?"
She frowned. "No."
"It might help with your nerves."
There was that. "Hmm. Maybe-"
The doorbell rang. "Who could that be?"
"The party doesn't start for an hour," Brody said as he glanced behind him. "Did you order anything?"
She shook her head and walked past him. The flowers and baked goods had been delivered earlier in the day.
Peeking through the security peephole Brody had insisted they put in, she frowned. Again.
She opened the door. "Mom, Dad? You guys are early."
Her mother gave her a nervous smile. "Hi, honey. We wanted to see the house before everyone got here." Her mom leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Oh, wonderful." Her parents were notoriously late to everything. Something was up.
Her dad thrust a giant bouquet of flowers toward her and then kissed her other cheek. "Yes. See the house, and there's something we need to talk to you about."